Brake-head connection.



Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

3 SHEETS'SHEET I.

INVENTOI? T. L. BURTON.

BRAKE HEAD CONNECTION.

APPLlCATION FILED FEB. 20, 1915- 4 Patented Oct. 3,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I /Ill] T. L. BURTON.

BRAKE HEAD CONNECTION.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.20,1915- Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- other modification; Fig. 5, a transverse sec- EDSTATES PATENT oFFioE.

THOMAS L. BURTON, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNORTO AMERICAN BRAKECOMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

BRAKE-HEAD CONNECTION.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented Oct, 3, 1916,

Application filed February 20, 1915. Serial No. 9,563.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THoMAs L. BURTON, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of St. Louis, in the Stateof Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inBrake-Head Connections, of which improvement the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to brake heads and hangers therefor, and has forits object to provide improved connecting means whereby the brake headand shoe will be automatically adjusted upon its "pivot, by engagementwith the car wheel, to such position that the shoe is concentric withthe wheel, and then be retained in the same position relative to thehanger until again shifted by engagement with the wheel.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of a brakehead and hanger showing one form of connection embodying my improvement;Fig. 2, a transverse section of the same; Fig. 3, a similar transversesection showing a slight modification; Fig. 4, a side elevation showingantion of the same; Figs. 6 to 15, similar 'sections showing othermodifications; Figs. 16 and 17 a side elevation and transverse section,respectively, showing another modifi-' cation; and Figs. 18 to 23,similar views, showing still further modifications.

It is important in the operation of railwvayrbrakes that the brake headsbe supported in suclra manner that when the brakes are released allparts of the rubbing surfaces of the shoes are effectually preventedfrom coming into contact with the wheels, otherwise undesirable wear andloss of power would be occasioned. At the same time it is equallyimportant that when the brakes are applied the shoes be permitted to soadjust themselves-relatively to the wheels that the rubbing surfaces ofthe shoes become concentric with the wheels, thus proriding. forsubstantiallynniform pressure and wear on all parts 'of-the rubbingsurfaces of the shoes; T g

According to the-construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings,the brake mounted on the hanger, 3, by means of a pin, 4, passingthrough the hanger and the two flanges of the brake head. According tomy improvement, one of the supporting flanges of the brake head isprovided with an opening in which is mounted a longitudinally movablebushing, 5, on the connecting pin, 4, while a spring and clamping nut onthe pin serve to exert a pressure and produce a corresponding frictionalresistance between said bushing and the hanger, and between the hangerand one of the brake head flanges. As shown'in Figs. 1 and 2, themovable bushing, 5, is of hexagonal or other non-circular form, andcontains a recess for the head of the pin or bolt, 4, so that thebushing and bolt turn with the brake head.

The hanger, 3, is provided with. friction surfaces upon its oppositesides around the head, 1, carrying the shoe, 2, is pivotally boltopening for engaging a corresponding.

between the brake shoe and hanger when.

the brake is released as when applied to the wheel. In this Way allparts of the rubbing surface of the shoe are effectually prevented fromcoming into contact with the wheel when the brake is released, and atthe same time the shoe is permitted to readily so adjust itselfrelatively to the wheel that the rubbing surface of the shoe becomesconcentric with the wheel when the brake is applied, forias soon as anywear or other cause tends to disturb this relation the application ofthe shoe to the wheel will force the head to turn slightly on its pivotpin on the hanger and sufliciently to reestablish the concentricrelation above referred to.

The frictional engagement between the .sur-.

faces of the brake head and the movable The force of the. spring holdsthe bushing and the corresponding surfaces on the hanger will then holdthe parts in this position until further adjustment is made.

The spring, 6, may be an ordinary helical spring of round section or ashort coil of square section, as shown in Fig. 3.

According to the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the longitudinallymovable bushing, 5 is cylindrical and is mounted in the flange of thehead on the same side as the spring. In this case, the bushing may turnwith the hanger and relatively to the brake head unless the torsionalresistance of the spring, 6, is exceeded, in which event relative motionwill occur between the bushing and the hanger, or between the bushingand the spring, or between the; spring and the washer, 7, or between thewasher and the nut, 8, which is constrained to turn with the brake head.In any case there is the frictional resistance to the motion of thehanger relatively to the brake head of the engaging surfaces of thehanger and the brake head flange on the other side, which is ample forthe purpose intended. Fig. 6 shows the use of the short coil squaresection spring in connection with the cylindrical bushing.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, a short coil of square sectionspring, 5, serves both as the longitudinal movable bushing and as thespring, and bears directly upon the friction face at one side of thehanger, passing through the enlarged cylindrical opening in the flangeof the brake head.

According to Fig. 8, the spring, 6, is dispensed with, and in lieuthereof, a spring washer, 9, is used under the head of the bolt, 4.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9, the construction is the same asthat of Fig. 7,

with the addition of the use of the spring washer, 9, beneath the bolthead.

In Figs. 4 to 9 inclusive, it is apparent I that the frictionalengagement with the left side of the hanger is not a positive one, forif the head is rotated relatively to the hanger, the bushing, 5, or itsequivalent, 5*,

will rotate with the hanger, coiling or uncoiling the spring about itscentral axis until the torsional resistance of the spring becomessuflicient to prevent its further distortion; then when the force whichoccasioned the rotation of the head ceases to be exerted on it, thetendency of the spring to recoil will continue to cause -a force to acton the head tending to restore the head to its original positionrelative to the hanger.

In order to maintain the same relative position between the brake headand hanger when the brake is released as when applied, it is importantthat the frictional engagements on which the maintenance of thisrelation depends be positive in their action and free at all times fromany tendency to cause rotation of the head relatively to the hanger.

In Fig. 10 it will be noted that the construction is similar to that ofFigs. 4 and 5, with the exception that the bushing, 5 is prevented fromrotating relatively to the brake head by means of the key, 10, and thebolt, 4, the head of which is lodged in a recess in one of the sideflanges. In Fig. 11 the bushing, 5, is prevented from rotatingrelatively to the brake head by means of the key, 10, engaging with theleft-hand side flange. It will be observed that in both of these figuresmeans are provided for forum ing two frictional engagements with thesurfaces of the hanger, each of which is adapted to uniformly oppose therotation of the brake head relatively to the hanger.

The constructions shown in Figs. 12 and 13 are substantially the same asthose of Figs. 1, 2 and 3with the exception that instead of the bushing,5, the bolt itself is adapted to form a bearing for the brake headflange and also to have frictional engagement with the face of thehanger. In Fig. 12 the bolt is provided with an enlargement or collar,4*, and in Fig. 13 the head of the bolt itself is extended to performthe functions in question. In both cases the bolt is prevented fromrotating relatively to the brake head by means of a hexagonal recess inthe side flange which engages the bolt head.

In Fig. 14, a bushing, 5 rotatable relatively to the brake head ismounted on the bolt, 4, within the left side flange. The bolt, 4, isnon-rotat'ably connected with the hanger by means of the key, 12, andthe head of the bolt is adapted to have frictional engagement with theouter surface of the right-hand side flange. The object of thisconstruction is to provide frictional engagements with the inner andouter surfaces of one of the side flanges.

In Fig. 15, the bushing, 5, which is rotatable relatively to the brakehead is mounted on the bolt, 4, within one of the side flanges, also awasher, 11, is mounted on the bolt, 4, outside of the other side flangeand is prevented from rotating relatively to the bolt by means of thekey, 10. A key, 12, connects the bolt, 4, with the hanger, 3, so thatthese parts cannot rotate relatively to each other. It is apparent thatthe spring, 6, presses the washer, 11, and the hanger, 3, intofrictional engagement with the opposite faces of one of the sideflanges, also that both of these engagements are of a positive characterfor when the hanger is rotated relatively to the brake head, the bolt,4, and washer, 11, must turn with it. It will be obvious that, ifpreferred, the bushing may be integral with the bolt.

In'the constructions shown in Figs. 1 to 15 inclusive, no rotationwhatever'of the brake head relative to the hanger can occur withbe norelative motion between the wheel and the head while the brake isapplied, and, therefore, no unnecessary Wear of the friction surfaceswill be occasioned. However, when, as is frequently the case, the hangeris pivoted to some spring-supported part of the truck, the head willmove almost constantly, though slightly, relatively to the wheel duringa brake application because of the more or less uneven nature of allroad' beds, with the result that the head will then be forced to rotatethrough a small angle relatively to the hanger. Consequently in order topermit this slight rotation without any attendant wear of the frictionsurfaces, the modified construction shown in Figs. 16 to 23 have beendevised.

As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, bushings, 5 and 5*, are mounted on thebolt, 4, on oppo site sides of the hanger, 3, and the bushing, 5 isrotatable relatively to the brake head. The bushing, 5, is provided witha lug, 13, which is adapted to engage with the sto s, 1 and 1", castintegral with the right han side flange of the brake head. As clearlyindicated in Fig. 16, these stops are so arranged that the space betweensame is slightly greater than the width of the lug, 13. Consequentlywhen the hanger rotates relatively to the brake head through the smallangle no frictional resistance to such rotation is encountered until thelug, 13, engages either one or other of the stops, -1 or 1 The bushing,5, may be formed integral with the'bolt, if desired.

The construction shown in Figs. 18 and 19, includes a washer, 11,mounted on the bolt, 4, and non-rotatively connected therewith by thekey, 10, the washer, 11, having frictional engagement with 'the outersurface of the left-hand side flange. The bolt, 4, is connected with thehanger, 3, by means of a'key, 12, which is driven tightly into thekey-way in the hanger. The head of the bolt, 4, is adapted to havefrictional engagementwith the outside surface of the righthand sideflange} The key-way in the bolt engaging thekey, 12, may be wider thanthe key as indicated in Fig. 19 so as to permit the hanger to rotatethrough a restricted angle without having to carry the bolt with it, orthe key-way in the bolt may closely fit the key, 12, so as to make thehanger nonrotatable relatively to. the bolt. Obviously both of theseconstructions embody two positive frictional engagements with thesurfaces of the side flanges, the same being adapted to uniformly opposethe rotation of the brake head relatively to the hanger.

In the construction shown in Figs. 20 and 21, bushings, 5 and 5 aremounted on the bolt, 4, on opposite sides of the hanger, 3, with whichthey have frictional engagement. Keys, 10*, are fitted into thesebushings and are adapted to either limit or prevent the rotation of thesame relatively to the brake head flanges as indicated in Fig. 21. Ifthe bolt is rotatable relative to the hanger there i will be twofrictional engagements with the surfaces of the hanger. 1f the bolt iskeyed, or otherwise fastened to the hanger, two additional frictionalengagements will be provided for, namely, the positive engagement of thebolt head with the bushing, 5, and the variable one between the bushing,5 and the spring, 6.

The construction shown in Fig. 22 is similar to that of Figs. 16 and 17.The hanger, 3, is non-rotatably connected to the bolt, 4, by the key,12. The bushings, 5 and 5*, are provided with lugs, 13 and 13*, adaptedto engage stops, 1 and 1", cast integral with the brake head flanges andso located as to permit the bushings to rotate slightly relatively tothe brake head. This construction provides for three positive and onevariable frictional engagements opposing the I rotation of the headrelative to the hanger.

The construction shown in Fig. 23 includes bushings, 5 and 5, mounted onthe bolt, 4, on opposite sides of the hanger, 3, and a washer, 11, alsomounted on the bolt, 4, outside of the left hand bushing with which ithas frictional engagement. A key, 10, prevents the washer, 11, fromrotating relatively to the bolt. A key, 12, prevents the hanger, 3, fromrotatin relatively to the bolt, and keys 10*, either Timit or preventthe rotation of the bushings, 5 and 5, relatively to the brake headflanges. This construction clearly embodies four positive frictionalengagements, each of which is adapted to uniformly oppose the rotationof the brake 'head relatively to the hanger.

It will be obvious that the surfaces for frictional engagement may be ofany desired character and form, and that any suitable means other thankeys may be employed for preventing relative rotation between the parts-Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentisi '1. The combination of a brake headhavingside flanges, a hanger between said flanges and rotatable relativelythereto, means for forming aplurality of enforced frictional engagementsadapted to ',uniformly oppose the rotation of the brake head relativelyto the hanger, and means for limiting the magnitude of the opposingforces developed by said enforced frictional engagements.

2. The combination of a brake head hav ing side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, and means mountedon said bolt, and connected with the brake head, for forming frictionalengagement with the hanger.

3. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hanger betweensaid flanges, a bolt passing through the same, and means mounted on saidbolt, and so connected with the brake head as to be rotatable relativelythereto within restricted limits, forforming frictional engagement withthe hanger.

4:. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, and means mountedon said bolt, and non-rotatably connected thereby with said hanger, forforming frictional engagement with the brake head.

5. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hanger betweensaid flanges, a bolt passing through the same, and means mounted on saidbolt, and so connected with the hanger as to be rotatable relativelythereto within restricted limits, for forming frictional engagement withthe brake head.

6. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hanger betweensaid flanges, a bolt passing through the same, and means mounted on saidbolt, and so connected thereby with the hanger as to be rotatablerelatively thereto within restricted limits, for forming frictionalengagement with the brake head.

7. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hanger betweensaid flanges, a bolt passing through the same, and a bushing mounted onsaid bolt within one of the side flanges of the head and having a.frictional engagement with the hanger.

8. The combination of a brake head having' side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, a bushing mountedon said bolt within the opening in one of the side flanges, and meansfor pressing the bushing into frictional engagement with the hanger.

9. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hanger betweensaid flanges, a bolt passing through the same, a bushing mounted on saidbolt within the opening in one of the side flanges, and a spring mountedon said bolt outside of said flanges for forcing the bushing intofrictional engagement with the hanger.

10. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said iaeasee flanges, a bolt passing through the same, and alongitudinally movable bushing mounted on said bolt within one of theside flanges of the head, and having a frictional engagement with thehanger.

11. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, a longitudinallymovable bushing mounted on said bolt within the opening of one of theside flanges, and means for pressing the bushing into frictionalengagement with the hanger.

12. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passin through the same, a longitudinallymovab e bushing mounted on said bolt within the opening in one of theside flanges, and a spring mounted on said bolt outside of said flangesfor forcing the bushing into frictional engagement with the hanger.

13.' The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, a bushing mountedon said bolt within the opening in one of the side flanges, and having africtional engagement with the hanger, and means for preventing amaterial rotaitlion of the bushing-relatively to the brake ead.

14. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, 7

bushings mounted on said bolt within the side flanges, and havingfrictional engagement with the hanger, and means for restricting therotation of said bushings relatively to the brake head within specificlimits.

15. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, bushings mountedon said bolt within the side flanges, means for. restricting therotation of said bushings relatively to the brake head within specificlimits, and means for forcing the bushings into frictional engage mentwith the hanger.

16. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, a bushing on saidbolt within one of the side flanges and forming a frictional engagementwith the hanger, a longitudinally movable bushing mounted on said boltwithin the other side flange, and having frictional engagement with thehanger, and means for restricting the rotation of said bolt relativelyto the brake head within specific limits. 17. The combination of a brakehead having side flanges, a hanger between said flanges, a bolt passingthrough the same, a

bushing on said bolt within one of the side flanges, a longitudinallymovable bushing mounted on said bolt within the other side flange, meansfor restricting the rotation of said bolt relatively to the brake headwithin specific limits, and means for forcingsaid bushings intofrictionalengagement with the hanger.

18. The combination of a brake head having side flanges a hanger betweensaid flanges, a bolt passing through the same, an enlarged portion onsaid bolt on one side of the brake head having" frictional engagement, aslidable and non-rotatable washer mounted on they bolt on the oppositeside of the brake head, and having frictional engagement with the otherside flange, and

means for preventing said bolt from rotating relatively to the hanger.

19. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, bushings mountedon said boltwithin the side flanges on'opposite sides of the hanger, andhaving frictional engagement therewith, means for preventing a materialrotation between said bushingsand the brake head flanges, and means frompreventing the bolt from rotating relatively to the.

hanger.

20. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, bushings mountedon said bolt within the side flanges on opposite sides of the hanger,means for preventing a material rotation between said bushings and thebrake head flanges, means for preventing the bolt from rotatingrelatively to the hanger, and means for forcing the bushings intofrictional engagement with the hanger. I

21. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, bushings mountedon said bolt within the side flanges on opposite sides of the hanger,

' and having frictional engagement therehanger,

with, means for restricting the rotation of said bushings relatively tothe brake head flanges within specific limits, and means for preventingthe bolt from rotating relatively I to the hanger.

22. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, bushings mountedon said bolt within the side flanges on opposite sides of the hanger,means for restricting the rotation of said bushings relatively to thebrake head flanges within specific limits, means for preventing the boltfrom rotating relatively to the and means for forcing the bushings intofrictional engagement with the hanger.

23. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, bushings mountedon said bolt within the side flanges on opposite sides of the hanger,and having frictional engagement therewith, means for preventing amaterial rotation between said bushings and the brake head flanges,means for preventing the bolt means for preventing a material rotationbetween said bushings and the brake head flanges, means for preventingthe bolt from rotating relatively to the hanger, an enlarged portion onsaid bolt on one side of the brake head, a slidable and non-rotatablewasher mounted on the bolt on the opposite side of the brake head, andmeans for forcing the bushings into frictional engagement with thehanger, with said washer, and with the enlarged portion of the bolt.

25.. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through the same, bushings mountedon said bolt within the side flanges on opposite sides of the hanger,and having frictional engagement therewith, means for restricting therotation of said bushings relatively to the brake head flanges withinspecific limits, means for preventing the bolt from rotating relativelyto I the hanger, an enlarged portion on said bolt having frictionalengagement with one of the bushings on one side of the brake head, and aslidable and non-rotatable washer mounted on the bolt on the oppositeside of the brake head, and having frictional engagement with the otherof said bushings.

26. The combination of a brake head having side flanges, a hangerbetween said flanges, a bolt passing through thesame, bushings mountedon said bolt within the side flanges on opposite sides of the hanger,means for restricting the \rotation of said bushings relatively to thebrake head flanges within specific limits, means for preve1 -1ng thebolt from rotating relatively to the hanger, an enlarged portion on saidbolt on one side of the brake head, a slidable and non-rotatable washermounted on the bolt on the opposite side of the brake head, and

means for forcing the bushings into fries tional engagement with thehanger, with v flanges rotatable relatively thereto, means for formingfrictional engagements adapted to oppose the rotation of the brake headrelatively to the hanger, and means for permitting the brake head torotate through a restricted angle Without opposition from W saidfrictional engagements.

THOMAS L. BURTON.

Witnesses:

A. J. SENGOTTA, F. G. WILLIAMSON.

